Science / Space
Swift observatory reenters atmosphere after nearly 22 years
NASA’s farewell describes the end of the satellite’s mission to study energetic cosmic explosions.
Status: source-checked.
NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory reentered Earth’s atmosphere Nov. 4 after nearly 22 years of service, according to a NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day account published Friday. The account places the reentry over Indonesia’s North Sumatra region.
According to NASA, swift carried instruments for observing ultraviolet and optical light, X-rays and gamma rays. Together, those instruments allowed scientists to study fast, energetic explosions in the universe.
NASA’s account said the most recent solar maximum accelerated the decay of the satellite’s orbit and an attempt to rescue it by raising its orbit was unsuccessful. The observations collected during the mission remain available for scientific work.
What we know / what we don't
What we know
- NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory reentered Earth’s atmosphere Nov. 4 after nearly 22 years of service, according to a NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day account published Friday. The account places the reentry over Indonesia’s North Sumatra region.
- According to NASA, swift carried instruments for observing ultraviolet and optical light, X-rays and gamma rays. Together, those instruments allowed scientists to study fast, energetic explosions in the universe.
- NASA’s account said the most recent solar maximum accelerated the decay of the satellite’s orbit and an attempt to rescue it by raising its orbit was unsuccessful. The observations collected during the mission remain available for scientific work.
What we don't know
- The source does not specify an unambiguous clock time for reentry.
The source record